The Surviving the Mic Open Mic

The Surviving the Mic Open Mic is open to anyone who identifies as a survivor of some kind of trauma, with mic priority given to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. We’re open to folks 18 and up.

The Surviving the Mic Open Mic takes place the third Monday of every month, from 6:00-8:00pm, at Cup & Spoon Cafe, located at 2415 W. North Avenue in Chicago, IL.

Anyone of any experience level is invited to share their poetry, music, prose, comedy, or creativity on the open mic. To be considered as a featured performer, please attend one of our open mics first, then email us at survivingthemic@gmail.com. To be considered as a featured performer, please attend one of our open mics first, then email us at survivingthemic@gmail.com.

The Surviving the Mic Open Mic is a safe space, meaning that the audience is expected to listen with compassion and all boundaries must be respected, especially physical. Consent should never be presumed, especially when it comes to touching. It’s better to ask and feel awkward, than not ask and trigger.

In terms of triggers, there is no way that people will not be triggered in the space, as folks as sharing stories that they need to tell that might use language or imagery that could be triggering. This article, from CALCASA (the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault), provided us with some insight about triggers.

We have volunteer first responders that attend every open mic. Nikki Patin, the founder of Surviving the Mic, hosts it every month and she is an Illinois state-certified Crisis Counselor. If you’re interested in being a first responder, please email us at survivingthemic@gmail.com.

We want this to be a space where people can be vulnerable but we also want to care for and respect that vulnerability. The intention is to give space to people speaking poetry to power, telling the truths they need to tell.